Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas State Representative Ron Simmons filed House Bill 1283 to require propositions resulting in the issuance of bonds or other debt to be submitted to voters on the uniform election date in November.
At the state level Texas has the second lowest state debt per capita among the ten most populous states in the nation. However growing local debt has become a major concern in Texas Simmons said. Part of the concern is that many bond and debt propositions are presented to voters in May elections when voter turnout is low. While appropriate debt instruments for long term infrastructure projects are sometimes necessary and financially sound we must have debt elections when the largest possible turnout is expected--which is in November. House Bill 1283 will increase local government transparency and ensure more voters have a say when it comes to propositions to increase debt in their communities.
Local governments in Texas issue debt to finance construction and renovation of government facilities public infrastructure and various other projects authorized by law. Over the past decade Texas total local government debt outstanding increased by 74.6 percent from $117.66 billion to $205.33 billion. During this period debt for public school districts increased 78.2 percent from $38.13 billion to $67.96 billion.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas State Representative Ron Simmons filed House Bill 1283 to require propositions resulting in the issuance of bonds or other debt to be submitted to voters on the uniform election date in November.
At the state level Texas has the second lowest state debt per capita among the ten most populous states in the nation. However growing local debt has become a major concern in Texas Simmons said. Part of the concern is that many bond and debt propositions are presented to voters in May elections when voter turnout is low. While appropriate debt instruments for long term infrastructure projects are sometimes necessary and financially sound we must have debt elections when the largest possible turnout is expected--which is in November. House Bill 1283 will increase local government transparency and ensure more voters have a say when it comes to propositions to increase debt in their communities.
Local governments in Texas issue debt to finance construction and renovation of government facilities public infrastructure and various other projects authorized by law. Over the past decade Texas total local government debt outstanding increased by 74.6 percent from $117.66 billion to $205.33 billion. During this period debt for public school districts increased 78.2 percent from $38.13 billion to $67.96 billion.
